“My Gutsy Story” by Rebecca Hall

As I board the plane, my sister’s words echo in my ears: “Always running away, that’s your problem. Why can’t you settle down?” This had always been my problem, never conventional and at 30, still with no intention to settle down and have kids—instead I was off to the ‘teardrop’ island of Sri Lanka to teach them.

Eager eyes stared and small mouths smiled at me, white teeth gleaming from grubby faces. The weariness of ten travel hours faded as my “Hello!” was answered by a chorus of giggles that erupted from behind cupped hands. Tropical heat simmered in the windowless classroom, yet the children focused with rapt attention on my English lesson. Street sounds assailed, but tiny ears ignored the symphony of horns, vendors’ shouts and temple chanting.

That night, supine in bed I thought once again about my sister’s comments. As the days progressed, I realised I loved being ‘unconventional’, there was nothing ‘wrong’ with me! I loved these kids and everything they taught me about humanity, humility and pureness.

Delphi

This process of going abroad to a culture severely different to my own helped set precedence. My time in Sri Lanka dulled that nagging voice in the back of my head—that it was wrong for a woman in her 30’s to not be ‘settled’ in a conventional, socially acceptable way. This paved the way for me to then undertake my first degree in my mid-30’s, and receive a very good grade for my International Relations study. What followed was yet more travelling, yet this time settling (of sorts) in the beautiful country of Greece.

Rebecca Hall-Skopelos

Being from Europe, ‘travel’ for me was not ‘travel’ unless it entailed a plane journey of over 4 hours, and CERTAINLY it wasn’t really ‘travel’ if it was in Europe. But who would’ve thought this country on the cusp of Europe could offer such diversity in culture, food and mentality? I LOVE it here and have found myself ‘settling’ for the time being (at least the last 3.5 years), albeit still not with the pre-requisite husband and kids, but I am HAPPY. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say that I LOVE my life…that nagging voice that questions if I am always running away knows the answer: only I know myself, no-one has the right to squash other people’s dreams because they’re perceived out of the ‘norm’ or that person is unconventional.

Greece

I hope others have the strength to follow their gut instincts and do what they know is best for them because ultimately, you will be doing everyone else a favour too: a happier and more content ‘you’ benefits everyone else around you. Remember: it’s the unconventional amongst us that help make the biggest changes.

Epidaurus Ancient Theatre on performance day

Good luck!

Rebecca Hall’s Bio

At 30 years old, Rebecca decided she’d had enough of trying to fit into everybody else’s view of how to live life: a long term job (never mind that it bored her, literally, to tears) and now time to find a man to settle down with.

So, she sold her apartment, used the money to help fund a 4 month volunteer programme teaching English in a rural, provincial school in Sri Lanka before continuing on her worldwide travels to New Zealand, the South Pacific and coast to coast across the USA.

Rebecca Hall

Upon her return, she undertook her first degree and gained a high score for her studies in International Relations & Sociology, proceeded to further study of how to teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and is settled for the time being in Athens, Greece teaching English, voiceover work and maintaining a blog about her adventures in this beautiful, historical, misrepresented European country. She has also taught in Cambodia, Cairo Egypt and found herself teaching dour, Russian and Eastern European sailors on board a container ship across the Atlantic Ocean!

Join Rebecca on her social media sites:

Sonia Marsh Says: I love your Gutsy, unconventional approach to life; enjoying things while you can, and not being “stuck” in a place or a job you don’t like. Good for you for finding happiness somewhere other than where you were born and raised. I can still relate to the “always running away,” that’s something that has stayed with me, even though I’m much older than you.

Please share the “My Gutsy Story” series with others on Twitter using the #MyGutsyStory. Thank you.

COME BACK TO VOTE for your favorite April 2012, “My Gutsy Story” starts May 3rd-May 16th. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 17th, from Paris, where I shall be staying to celebrate my dad’s 87th birthday.

Comments

So happy you submitted your story of adventure and living the life you want to rather than following the 9-5 cubicle job. Did you check out “AONC” with Chris Guillebeau. I think you’d like him and his amazing group of “non-conformists.”

Rebecca,
Congrats for sticking to your beliefs, your true feelings and inspirations. That is how life works. I believe we are like snowflakes, each one different from the other. No one can possibly know what you as an individual desires to succeed in life, be it direction, work, love, tranquility, happiness, style, etc. Only you feel what you feel, and only you can live your life. Age is simply a number as well. There is no limit to what one can achieve as long as they move forward. For some, it comes late in life, nevertheless, it comes.
Thanks for sharing your amazing story, adventures, and writing style.

Ahhh – thanks for such lovely words…and so true!
I was concerned, upon reading this piece again, that I came across as superior. I really didn’t want it to sound like that! But everyone’s positive comments thus far have encouraged me.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with following ‘convention,’ but I just got so fed up with being criticized because I chose not to.
Lovely to see so much support – thanks guys.
:0)Bex recently posted.."Z" is for Zontania

I’m honored and delighted at the response to my story – thank you everyone. I firmly believe in following instincts and not being boxed in.
Thanks for the level of support.
:0)Bex recently posted.."Z" is for Zontania

Determining your own path (whatever that is) and then having the guts to follow it, never mind what anyone else says, is what is important. Good for you, Rebecca, you did it and you’re still doing it. I applaud you.Maggie recently posted..A love story in 50 words including the title.

Can you hear the sound of my clapping hands? I’ve heard those same outside voices yet have also tended to dance to the tune of unconventional voices on my life’s journey. Thank you, Bex, for sharing (still clapping)!

Rebecca, I admire what you did to teach those students in Sri Lanka. I visited that country twice, before and after the terrible tsunami that devastated that island. I also had friends and relatives tell me that I was “running away” when my husband and I left California to sail around the world in a 43-foot catamaran. But I wouldn’t trade that circumnavigation for anything! Now, I am busy writing and promoting a nautical series based on those adventures.

Thanks so much Rebecca; We really need to hear your words over and over again: “Do what you know is best for you” ( which others don’t necessarily know )>>”a happier and more content you benefits everyone else around you”. I also loved your mentionning “humanity, humility and purity” as with those three words in mind we cannot let others judge us… Personnally, I don’t find you in the least unconventional! Those children need you…Is the TEFL a difficult exam to pass( I’ve been thinking about it for myself )?

Thanks for the words of support. Head over to my blog & Facebook page – I’ve written a little about TEFL there and plan to do a longer piece in the near future about TEFL and how to get into it.
All the best.
:0)Bex recently posted.."Z" is for Zontania

Hi Bex! i really enjoyed reading your story and i really admire you for being so gutsy! Thanks for sharing this with us and i hope you find the right man for you.Heidi19 recently posted..Arowana – a prized investment catch or …

Bravo to you for staying true to yourself despite pressures from your family. I hope this spirit lives on in you and continues to inspire you to live the life you feel in your heart is right for you.Siv Maria recently posted..First Loves